subscribe email twitter facebook pinterest

Studio JRU {Giveaway}

UPDATED WITH WINNER: Congrats to reader Misty! (I emailed you)

This inspires me:

[a recent gift from here]

This beautiful cross rests in a high traffic area of my home. A place where the wall is stenciled with a reminder of the One Rule I want to live by

Love God. Love Others.

Y’all know I love inspirational art. I want my walls and tabletops to talk to those living in and out of my home.

Jennifer of Studio JRU is a mixed media artists. She combines paper and paint and wood and creates simply beautiful work. Art is her calling and it draws the recipient closer to the Master Artist.

I love all her crosses:

Studio JRU is offering one reader a $50 gift certificate today. Please tell me what inspires you in a comment and that will be your entry.

This giveaway closes on Thursday.

Kristen
If you have enjoyed or learned from this post, please share it:
  • email
  • Print
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Digg
  • StumbleUpon
  • del.icio.us
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Add to favorites
  • RSS

In a Shocking Turn of Events, I’ve Become the Older Mom

In my 20′s I was one of those gals who looked 15. I was constantly mistaken for a teen (sometimes a teen mom). It was really annoying.

Gah, I miss those days.

Because y’all, that just doesn’t happen anymore.

Somehow in the last few years, I’ve gotten old. The lines on my face and the gray in my hair are clear indications, also the desire to plant fake flowers in my front yard, wear my glasses on a chain around my neck and drive 20 miles per hour everywhere.

Little things.

Let’s not speak of the house coat. (um, what is a that anyway?)

It’s strange being close to 40, having a preschooler and nearly a teen. I’m buying bras and baby dolls. The thing about being an older mom: People look to you for advice. I’m like, “Hey, read my book-you won’t find any advice, but it will give you insight into the gray hair and fake flowers.” Okay, maybe not the flowers.

I’m in a Mom’s Bible Study from my church. I joined because I wanted to get to know people and also [NEWSFLASH] I need help with mothering. I out-age everyone by probably ten years. They are so stylish and have such great skin…

It’s just weird being the older mom.

It gives me a strange hankering for some icy hot and prunes.

So, where are you in the mom journey?

By the way, I wouldn’t go back ten years for all the money in the world…..

I’m growing older gracefully (with the help of some hair color and tweezers).

Are you a young mom or are you older than dirt, too?

Kristen
If you have enjoyed or learned from this post, please share it:
  • email
  • Print
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Digg
  • StumbleUpon
  • del.icio.us
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Add to favorites
  • RSS

Compassion Fatigue

I’m tired.

I go to bed too late. Tick 28 things off my daily list. Balancing home, kids, marriage, ministry-precariously.

I toss and turn, dream heavy, most nights.

I wrestle.

I have always loved causes. Justice. Robin Hood rescuers.

I have taken you with me…we’ve bought chickens and seed in Uganda, sponsored Compassion kids all over the world, sent hundreds of shoes to S. Africa, sent 250 pillowcase dresses overseas,  1000 cans of baby formula to Ethiopia, and 345 of you gave your money towards Mercy House in the last 4 months of 2010. (The list goes on…)

just a glimpse into my garage, medical items YOU’VE donated for Mercy House

When I started my blog, I started it for me. I still write every day-just me and the computer screen, finding out how I feel about something when it leaves my fingertips.

I love mercy.

But in doing so, every time I hit publish, I gamble with giving you compassion fatigue.

I read tweets coming out of the Blissdom blogging conference from a panel on just that topic. I bristled-from guilt and disagreement.

Today, I’m at the Idea Camp, learning and listening, tomorrow I’ll be talking about  compassion fatigue.

And  guess what? I get compassion fatigue-there’s always one more cause…

Bottom line for me: if I have occasional fatigue from all the awareness, how in the world do the poor feel? I imagine they are tired of living without a voice. I assume they worry over their babies dying from preventable diarrhea and about their daughters prostituting themselves for food.

Suddenly, my fatigue doesn’t seem very important.

So, I wrestle.

And I thank God you are in this struggle with me.

Kristen
If you have enjoyed or learned from this post, please share it:
  • email
  • Print
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Digg
  • StumbleUpon
  • del.icio.us
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Add to favorites
  • RSS

How to Really Fight For Your Marriage

Many of you know our story.

It was painful to live, painful to tell. But with great pain, there is an opportunity for great healing.

And with healing there is testimony.

Through the process of nearly losing my marriage, I learned to fight for it.

With my marriage dangling by a thread, both of us broken and afraid, I remember declaring that I would not give up easily. I threw out all my preconceived ideas about marriage counseling,  not having enough money in savings to afford “help” and I went to battle, not against my husband, but with him.

The very fall of man, put husbands and wives at odds with each other. Marriage is not easy. At it’s best, it’s difficult.

But don’t be fooled:  Satan wants your marriage to fail. He is a vicious opponent without mercy. If you won’t fight for your marriage, he will.
I believe every marriage is worth fighting for and while some have Biblical reasons for divorce, I still believe God can rescue every marriage-IF- there are two willing people and sadly, that’s often not the case.

But if you are married-whatever condition your marriage may be in today-you need to fight for it.

How to really fight: [there are so many ways you can do this, here's what has helped me]:

  • Ask hard questions-Is there intimacy in our marriage? Are there secrets?
  • Prepare yourself for unexpected answers-don’t rule out counseling. It’s not just for broken marriages, it can truly make your marriage better.
  • Trust -Believe in your spouse. Choose to trust.
  • Pray-simply said, hardly done. Pray for your marriage and your mate.
  • Eliminate distractions-turn off cable if it’s unhealthy, throw out edgy movies, only accept purity in your marriage.
  • Don’t condemn-this only causes strife.
  • Submit your marriage and your life to God. We have found the closer we are to God, the closer we are to each other.
  • Forgive-some things seem unforgivable. But in the end, we must forgive. (This doesn’t mean we have to continue to live in abusive, dangerous or unfaithful marriages)
  • Let your husband lead your home, submit to him on the big stuff. If you doubt him, pray that God will speak to him.

If you have an unbelieving husband, practice I Cor. 7.

Our marriage is not perfect and at this rate, it never will be, but it’s real and it’s good and it will last.

How do you really fight for your marriage?

Kristen
If you have enjoyed or learned from this post, please share it:
  • email
  • Print
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Digg
  • StumbleUpon
  • del.icio.us
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Add to favorites
  • RSS

WFMW: Screen Time Chart

We cut off our cable television a year ago. One of our two televisions broke six months ago and we decided not to replace it.

We’re down to Netflix, a news channel or two and PBS.

AND I LOVE IT!

Seriously. Except when all the people around me talk about the latest shows. I pull out my knitting and take a swig of Maalox antacid from my purse (No, wait, that was my grandma-which I am slowly becoming).

But I’ve learned that my kids still crave screen time-or anything electronic. They can sit for hours, idle and absorbed playing video games, watching reruns of The Addams Family, or at the computer.

We implemented screen time years ago. Our rule: 30 minutes a day of “screen” time-you pick the screen.

I just found this free Printable Screen Time Chart to help us keep track. We aren’t militant about it and sometimes we break our own rules to watch family movies, but generally, during the week, our house rule for our kids is 30 minutes a day.

It works for us!



Kristen
If you have enjoyed or learned from this post, please share it:
  • email
  • Print
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Digg
  • StumbleUpon
  • del.icio.us
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Add to favorites
  • RSS

Josh Wilson Music {Giveaway}

*Updated with CD Winners* Lora @ Mothering Moments, reader Crystal, Lisa, reader Jeannette  and Mary Catherine and Grand Prize Winner: Gitz

I love me some worship music.

I love hearing my kids sing from the backseat.

And I’ve got a new MUST HAVE artist for you:

Singer, songwriter, Josh Wilson has a beautiful pop acoustic sound.

“Something I’ve been learning over the past decade is that when we want to see God, we have to depend less on our physical eyes and more on the Holy Spirit,” Josh says. “The subtle, still small voice of God. I admit it. I’m not the best at it. I want to see God with my eyes…”

That tension between faith and sight is the undercurrent of Josh’s new project, SEE YOU, a vivid collection of unforgettable songs that focus on the evidence of God at work in our lives. With a probing spiritual curiosity and imaginative, self-examining lyrics, SEE YOU solidifies Josh Wilson’s place among the finest song crafters of his day.–Josh Wilson Music.com

He has several songs I love, but this is one of my favorites:

Today, in celebration of Josh’s new release, we’re giving away free music!

Grand Prize: One random commenter

I Refuse to Do Nothing t-shirt

Josh Wilson “See You” CD and lyric book

Plus 5 random commenters will win Josh Wilson’s new “See You” CD!

Listen and leave a comment to win.

This giveaway will close on Thursday.

Kristen
If you have enjoyed or learned from this post, please share it:
  • email
  • Print
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Digg
  • StumbleUpon
  • del.icio.us
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Add to favorites
  • RSS

Don’t Make Me Come Up There {Contest}

So fun!! Thanks for the participants here and on the Facebook page! The random grand prize winner is Melanie of Only a Breath!

Grab a camera and give me your best “Don’t Make Me Come Up There” face or book cover reenactment! (you know the look that tells your kids YOU MEAN IT).

Link up your post/photo and you could win the following:

And of course, I have to enter my own contest:

Link up to be entered to win a basket of my favorite things! Special thanks to Dayspring for their support. Have you heard of TOMS Shoes and their One for One program….the most comfortable shoes ever!

My books is in stock, on sale and ships immediately at my publisher, Cokesbury. It will also be in stock at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc this week! Stay tuned for more book giveaways….

You are free to link up any time this week…winner will be announced next week!

Pssst…if you’d rather share your picture without a blog or you feel more comfortable, you can also enter by sharing your picture on the We are THAT family Facebook wall!



Kristen
If you have enjoyed or learned from this post, please share it:
  • email
  • Print
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Digg
  • StumbleUpon
  • del.icio.us
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Add to favorites
  • RSS

Links I Love:

Kristen
If you have enjoyed or learned from this post, please share it:
  • email
  • Print
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Digg
  • StumbleUpon
  • del.icio.us
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Add to favorites
  • RSS

[This Is It]

Her tired brown eyes beckon me from the top of the stairs. She’s been put to bed twice already, but there she is again. “Momma, will you lay with me?”

He is cool in front of his friends, answering questions with a nod and inside jokes and noises, funny only to 8 year old boys. But he writes me a beautiful Valentine’s letter that is so full of love, it takes my breath away.

She is half grown. As tall as me, hands the same size, feet bigger. We share the same temper. But she still stumbles into my room late at night, only two of us awake in the quiet, wanting me to hug, pray, be with her.

One day she may not ask.

One day he may not write.

One day she may not come.

Some day…

I will apologize for my sharp words.
I will share my faith with my friends.
I will chase my God-sized dreams.

...May never come.

There will never be another today.

This is it.

What will you do with it?

———————————————

*inspiration on my bookshelf

Kristen
If you have enjoyed or learned from this post, please share it:
  • email
  • Print
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Digg
  • StumbleUpon
  • del.icio.us
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Add to favorites
  • RSS

How to Really Love Your Husband

I met him when I was 18 on my very first day of college. We attended a small private Bible School and I was the introvert in the room. He drew me out.

I was immediately attracted to his personality. And then his muscular tan legs. He was fun and social-everything I wasn’t.

We instantly became friends. It was three years before we became more than friends, but there was always a strong undercurrent in our relationship.

Then one day, he graduated from college and left for graduate school, I visited him.

We kissed.

[ELECTRICITY]

We married 87 days later.

I love my husband deeply. I loved him through a very dark period in our marriage. I’ve watched him fight the battle of his life and win. But we’re human. Selfishness creeps in and daily, we must choose love.

The book that made me a better wife: For Women Only, offers startling statistics about our husbands:

1000 men were asked to rate what was MOST important to them-what they really needed the most from their wives, basically, how they felt most loved, the results with #1 being the most important need:

5. I need her to understand my burden to provide/how draining my job is.

4. I need more sex.

3. I need more respect, in public and private.

2. I wish she’d make more of an effort to take care of herself.

And the number one need in the survey (or way we can really love our husbands) ….

1. I want her to know how much I love her.

He loves you. He may not show it the way you want or even need. But at his core, despite poor communication skills or your doubt–he loves you.

And that’s how we can really love our husbands, by accepting and believing in their love for us.

Ten tangible things you can do to really love him:

  1. Kiss him 5 seconds longer than normal.
  2. Pray for him.
  3. Get dressed everyday.
  4. Ask him about his work; listen to what he says.
  5. Let him pick the movie.
  6. Wear that tiny lacy thing in the back of your drawer.
  7. Tell him you respect him-when he least expects it.
  8. Randomly ask him a question about the bills or dinner or anything, naked.
  9. Thank him for leading your family (even if he doesn’t do it like you would).
  10. Don’t criticize him in front anyone-including your children.

How do you really love your husband?

Kristen
If you have enjoyed or learned from this post, please share it:
  • email
  • Print
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Digg
  • StumbleUpon
  • del.icio.us
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Add to favorites
  • RSS

WFMW: Tip for Buying Plane Tickets

Occasionally I have to fly.

On an airplane–although my four year old tries to convince me all I need is pixie dust.

I thought this was a fascinating article full of tips on purchasing plane tickets:

  • Weekdays are best to purchase airline tickets
  • You can save up to 25% by purchasing mid-week
  • 3 p.m. Eastern time Tuesdays-absolute best time

I’m going to try it the next time I need to fly!

What works for you?



Kristen
If you have enjoyed or learned from this post, please share it:
  • email
  • Print
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Digg
  • StumbleUpon
  • del.icio.us
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Add to favorites
  • RSS

:::You May Need This to Read My Book::: {Free Printable}

I put myself in time out the other day.

I needed it.

I was throwing a fit. I clenched my fists and even stomped my foot.

[Reason #207 I could never be on reality television. #208 We don't watch television]

It sort of made me want to read my own book, locked in the bathroom. Ha!

I’m getting ready for a Blog Book Tour (with lots of book giveaways) since my book comes out in just two shorts weeks!

And I thought y’all might need a little notice for your families (and your bathroom doors):

Free Printable Door Hanger

Don’t forget the contest next Monday!

Link up your best “don’t make me come up there” picture and you could win:

Thanks, Daypsring.

P.S. What did you get for Valentine’s Day? Tell me in the comments….I got gift cards for sweet tea and a new book at Lifeway and a cozy pair of pajamas! The best part: hubby hid them in a geocache and I had to search for them!

Kristen
If you have enjoyed or learned from this post, please share it:
  • email
  • Print
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Digg
  • StumbleUpon
  • del.icio.us
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Add to favorites
  • RSS

H♥ppy V♥lentine’s D♥y {Giveaway}

*Updated with Winners* Congrats to winners (Mr. Random generated three readers) Juliea, AR and Rebecca (I emailed y’all!)

I’ve never been a roses and chocolate kind-of-girl.

I’m just too practical.

(Don’t get me wrong-I never turn these things down. I just don’t expect or ask for them).

I took a test once and do you know what my love language is? hand-stamped jewelry. Really, it said it right on the paper! (Only not really).

But I do think of this when I think of Valentine’s Day:

I have plenty though, so I thought it would be fun to give some away!  The Vintage Pearl is the EPIC Valentine’s gift-getting place and they are offering the THREE necklaces above to three very lucky readers! (winner’s choice)

Tell me what ♥ item  you love  at The Vintage Pearl and you’ll be entered to win it!

Kristen
If you have enjoyed or learned from this post, please share it:
  • email
  • Print
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Digg
  • StumbleUpon
  • del.icio.us
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Add to favorites
  • RSS

Links for Lovers:

Kristen
If you have enjoyed or learned from this post, please share it:
  • email
  • Print
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Digg
  • StumbleUpon
  • del.icio.us
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Add to favorites
  • RSS

How To Memorize Scripture In 3 Easy Steps {Ages 2-100}

After we break bread each night, we break Bread. (Ann’s idea).

We carry our big Bible basket to the table, pick a version and read a chapter or we listen while one of us reads from The Jesus Storybook Bible. It’s usually not orderly, sometimes there are fits or spills or both. But we try.

We also choose a Scripture a week  to memorize (we choose the verses from the ShoeboxScripture Treasure set (Samaritan’s Purse) I got for free from Relevant), but this is a similar resource.

How to Memorize Scripture in 3 Easy Steps as a Family:

1. Choose an easy-to-learn Bible translation and a verse that isn’t too long and that isn’t from Song of Solomon.

2. Divide the verse by person, giving each a small portion. Have them come up with hand/body motions that match their few words. (Parents: don’t be afraid to let your kids be creative here. Any time a new verse has the word “but” in it, my kids slap their fanny. I’m praying for grace.)

3. Around the dinner table, let each person stand and say their part w/motions. Let everyone try it together or individually. By the end of the week, you’ll have laughed A LOT and learned a verse from God’s Holy Book. Amen.

Example: [please note, the dramatic flair is not necessary, but always acceptable]

Our verse from last week (captured below in an unedited 17 second clip):

“I am the vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

P.S. And yes, sassy is the “action” my youngest chose to help remember her part of the verse. And she is storming off at the end of the video. Our next family verse will be on anger.

Kristen
If you have enjoyed or learned from this post, please share it:
  • email
  • Print
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Digg
  • StumbleUpon
  • del.icio.us
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Add to favorites
  • RSS

Your Basic All-Purpose Garment

I’m talking about the one item you must have in your wardrobe over at (in)Courage today.

P.S. This is not a post about jeggings.

Kristen
If you have enjoyed or learned from this post, please share it:
  • email
  • Print
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Digg
  • StumbleUpon
  • del.icio.us
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Add to favorites
  • RSS

How To Really Laugh

[Note: We are learning how to really live together. This isn't an instruction guide. The posts in this series are my open journal. Please include your thoughts in the comments. Let's find out together how to really live!]

So. The other night one of my kids referred to The Passing of Gas. Only they didn’t quite say it like that. I was offended by the slang word they used and tried to think of a more appropriate word.

Because, y’all, it happens.

But we can still refer to it with class, ya know? Stick with me, there’s a point.

I was at a loss for just the right word and so I asked my hunk-o-man what his family said when such an occurrence happened.

And he looked a bit sheepish, running his thick hand thru his hair.
(He’s a stud, did I mention that?)

“We grew up saying “I let a windy.”

Yes, you read that right,

“I. LET. A. WINDY.”

Alone, those four simple words aren’t funny, but formed together and so unexpected, well, I ROLLED ON THE FLOOR.

ROFL.

We laughed and laughed and hiccuped from all the laughing. It was so inappropriate –this appropriate wording– coming from my handsome MAN. Oh and also, the conversation had to be CHANGEd. Because kids like to talk about this sort of thing.

But that’s how I want to really laugh.

Except in church. Because that is bad, y’all. [sidenote: why do I usually feel this kind of laughter bubbling up IN CHURCH?]

I’m pretty sure I added a year to my life that night because I felt younger and vibrant and happy from all that laughing.

Did you know that there are 42 verses on laughter in the Bible?

Plus, it’s proven to make your health better.

And, let’s be honest, it’s better than the alternative: crying, controlling, complaining…

So, how do we really laugh-not the mechanics of physical laughter, but the letting go:

Live in the Moment

Lighten Up

Let Yourself Have Fun

Live-we only have today-this moment. We spend so much our present worrying about the past or planning for the future that often forget to just stop and live. Today is a gift, that’s why it’s called the present.

Lighten Up-If you like to control things (like me) then it’s time to lighten up. I have missed so many opportunities to laugh because I was sticking to the rules or propriety. I’m learning that letting go of control is about being more carefree.

Let- yourself have fun! If you ask my kids to define their parenting roles, they would say their dad is the fun parent. Mom takes care of everything. I want to change this. I want to give myself permission to leave it all-right there on the table or stuffed under their beds.

How do you (get to the place where you can) really laugh let a windy?

See? That’s funny. You should laugh.


Kristen
If you have enjoyed or learned from this post, please share it:
  • email
  • Print
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Digg
  • StumbleUpon
  • del.icio.us
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Add to favorites
  • RSS

WFMW: My Encouragement Bowl

I have a pretty bowl sitting on my desk.

It’s full of love.

It’s my encouragement bowl.

For the last 3 years, I’ve tucked little notes of encouragement, thank you’s and what-not notes, into it’s porcelain hands.

When I’m feeling discouraged or overwhelmed or under-appreciated, I go to the bowl for encouragement.  Sometimes I just look up from my laptop and labor and let the written words remind me that I’m not alone.

My tip: get a bowl and fill it with encouragement.

p.s. got my cute bowl from Dayspring



Kristen
If you have enjoyed or learned from this post, please share it:
  • email
  • Print
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Digg
  • StumbleUpon
  • del.icio.us
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Add to favorites
  • RSS

Unshaken {Review & Giveaway}

*Updated with Winners* Congratulations to random winners: Creative2xMom and reader (no blog) Sarah Parker!

I remember exactly where I was when the Haiti earthquake hit.

It was terrible to watch it unfold on TV.

But it became more personal when I learned that two Compassion International staff members were buried in the rubble.

I was in the middle of getting shots and a passport to travel with Compassion to Africa.

I’m not going to lie: I thought of myself and my own impending trip. I doubted.

But I also prayed. I shared the news with my family. And we prayed together. My son was so moved-he asked me constantly about the Compassion employees, Dan and David.

We asked God for a miracle.

And when news didn’t come and hours turned to days, we waited and we prayed.

I cried when I heard Dan Woolley had been rescued. I cried when I heard David hadn’t.

I will never forget sharing the news with my kids. My son said it first, “Mom, THIS IS A MIRACLE.”

He was absolutely right. It was a miracle we got to witness with our own eyes. It was also a tragedy for so many and we processed this with the rest of the world.

When I traveled to Birmingham in December for the Compassion Blogger Reunion, I was excited to meet and visit with everyone. But it was a deeply moving moment for me to sit across from Dan Woolley at dinner and hear his story.

God used him to remind me I ANSWER PRAYERS. I STILL DO MIRACLES. BELIEVE IN ME.

Dan has written a heartbreaking and beautiful book about his time trapped underground called Unshaken: Rising from the Ruins of Haiti’s Hotel Montana.

I read it in three days. I couldn’t put it down.

I cannot recommend this book more. It stirred my heart in so many ways, as Dan shares deeply personal details of his marriage and faith. It made me question my own life-what would I do in the situation? Where does my trust lie?

This excerpt from the book was so moving:

“And so, finally, I did. I trusted God with my crisis. I trusted him with my death. I trusted him with my family after I died — with Christy, with Josh, and with Nathan. My questions were resolved. My fears were gone. It’s not that I understood how God would make something good from my death, but I knew that, because of his power and love, he would. The majesty and awesome beauty that I had just witnessed and the love and grace that he had poured on me in such a personal way were evidence enough. My Father would make this situation work out for the good. Guaranteed.

He would be a father to Josh and Nathan and a husband to Christy. He would make my life and my death matter in their lives, and his good purposes would be fulfilled. Somehow there would be good through David’s death as well, and God would care for his family in special ways. Even for the people of Haiti, who had to be suffering so much, God would bring good through the tragedy of this earthquake.

Thank you, Father, for showing me you can be trusted completely! I trust you. Let your will be done in this situation — whatever that may be.

My thoughts were interrupted by a voice from above. “Hello. Is anybody there?”

My son is 8 and he’s an avid reader. He asked me twenty times if he could read Dan’s story. I kept saying no because it’s not written for kids.

He pressed in, “Mom, I want to read about the miracle. I want to know.”

I am reading it with him (passing over the chapters pertaining to Dan’s marriage). How can I not? My little boy needs heros.

He’s found one that is

Unshaken.

Today, I’m giving away TWO autographed copies of Unshaken.

Leave a comment to be entered.

This giveaway ends on Thursday.

Kristen
If you have enjoyed or learned from this post, please share it:
  • email
  • Print
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Digg
  • StumbleUpon
  • del.icio.us
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Add to favorites
  • RSS

Don’t Make Me Come Up There!

[Promo Video: Sneak Peek, special thanks to We are THAT family Facebook friends for submitting pictures!]

Don’t Make Me Come Up There! in bookstores three weeks from today!

Next week, I’ll share a glimpse inside the book with a special (free) gift for each of you.

And in two weeks, on February 21, I’ll be having a little contest:

Get your best “Don’t make me come up there!” picture of yourself ready! Link up a photo of your best Mom look- you know the one you give your kids or a reenactment of my book cover (like above) to help me celebrate the release of my first book!

And there’s a prize!

Pre-order the book today at a special price of only $7.56!

Kristen
If you have enjoyed or learned from this post, please share it:
  • email
  • Print
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Digg
  • StumbleUpon
  • del.icio.us
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Add to favorites
  • RSS

Orphan Care Isn’t Sexy

We live in a high gloss world.

We want beauty. We crave attractive things.

We have cute handbags, pretty paper, and desire gorgeous houses. Our society is consumed with superficial loveliness.

Sex appeal is a hot commodity.

The ugly truth in our pretty world:  *attractive people earn more
money and are generally viewed as more successful.

And while God created true beauty, it isn’t found in home decor or luxury cars. It’s not really about perfect figures or chiseled
appearances.

True beauty is found in the least of these.

Orphans.

But orphan care doesn’t sell. It’s not attractive or appealing.

There’s nothing desirous about poverty so devastating it chokes the very breath out of you. The stench of living without simple resources
makes you want to run. I’ve touched the heads of sick children, living in the streets of Africa’s slum. I shuddered as death rattled with every breath. I only offered them silent tears that fell to the rot beneath my feet.

Poverty isn’t pretty.

It’s forgotten in our world. We pretend there aren’t thousands and thousands and thousands of children dying everyday,
while we shop for an upgraded life. We ignore the forgotten because it makes us uncomfortable.

We forget the orphan because they make us feel ugly.

Not our carefully manicured facade, but the inner self that is deteriorating with selfishness and apathy.

I met orphans- Susan and Vincent and a host of others in the poorest part of the world. I have touched the faces of orphans in our foster care system. Their beauty shined a light on my ugliness. I will
never be the same. Jesus used their plight to change me.

It’s still difficult to stare down the enormous beast of poverty. I question if we can really make a difference, really change the world? But how can we not at least try?

We are excited to join the voices and wrestle out these challenging questions at The Idea Camp focusing on the global orphan crisis
and the church.

Orphan care (foster care, adoption) aren’t sexy, but they are beautiful.

*stat

Kristen
If you have enjoyed or learned from this post, please share it:
  • email
  • Print
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Digg
  • StumbleUpon
  • del.icio.us
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Add to favorites
  • RSS

Links I Love

Kristen
If you have enjoyed or learned from this post, please share it:
  • email
  • Print
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Digg
  • StumbleUpon
  • del.icio.us
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Add to favorites
  • RSS

The Internet Makes the World a Smaller Place

There’s someone I’d like you to meet.

I first met the Huffman’s online. {I’ll let the shock where off}.

Kimberly left a comment on one of my posts about the Mercy House. I clicked right over. Her blog is called: The Huffman Family  in Kenya and it’s about her family’s journey founding and running Mattaw Children’s Village.

I have read and read and read. Learning so much more about the culture I love. The Huffman’s have been an integral part of helping us behind-the-scenes in starting Mercy House. They have met with Maureen (and fallen in love with her! Who doesn’t?), answered a ton of questions, shared their travel contacts and so much more.

This beautiful young couple with two sweet babies met in Africa. They were both serving the poor. They knew they wanted to spend their lives there and after they married, they opened Mattaw. I have been so impressed with their work and the amount they have accomplished in just four short years.

Mercy House and Mattaw are dreaming of working together to rescue some of Africa’s forgotten.

The Huffman’s returned to America for a short time to do some necessary work stateside. When I discovered they would be in Texas, I knew we had to connect in person.

On our way to meet them at Chick Fil A the other night, my daughter, “So are we meeting someone you met on the Internet?” And no one in the car thought the question was weird.

It felt like meeting family. Africa bringing us together over sweet tea! We shared stories and encouraged one other. They are missionaries, doing hard work for Jesus. I’d love for you to pray for them and even consider financial support.

[It may seem weird that I'm asking you to support them considering I'm working to raise money for Mercy House. But money isn't an issue with God. He has plenty. If He burdens your heart for this family like He has ours, GO WITH IT!]

We are so thankful that God allowed our paths to cross and we are very excited about what the future holds.

I love that the Internet makes the world a smaller place!

Kristen
If you have enjoyed or learned from this post, please share it:
  • email
  • Print
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Digg
  • StumbleUpon
  • del.icio.us
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Add to favorites
  • RSS

It Could Get Bad

Our city is shutting down. This is why:

Kristen
If you have enjoyed or learned from this post, please share it:
  • email
  • Print
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Digg
  • StumbleUpon
  • del.icio.us
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Add to favorites
  • RSS

How to Really Give

Alternately titled : Crying in My Black Bean Soup


The last 4 (four) Saturdays, my kids have run rampant, watching too much TV, staying in pajamas all day, playing-fighting while Mom and Dad punched numbers, staring at computer screens.  (Grandparents were able to come to the rescue this past week!) But its been a hard month. It’s been tedious entering hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of $3, $10, $25 and $100+ donations into an accounting program for Mercy House and making it all balance.

Balance. We haven’t had it.

And can I just lay pretense aside and whisper hard words?  It’s the only time in this crazy, God-journey that I’ve wanted to walk away.

But instead, I’ve wiped away the tears of frustration and exhaustion and pressed in, thanking God for every dollar that has been given to Mercy House. Pushing the mom-guilt away, praying, while counting on God to give my kids grace to understand the road we are traveling.

Just before lunch last Saturday, we drug boxes into the living room from you. Childbirth kits, piles of umbilical cord clamps and stethoscopes. It’s a mountain of necessities that will save the lives of tiny African babies. My oldest asked a lot of questions as she fingered peri bottles and mesh underwear.

“What else do we need, Mom?” She asked as she pulled up the latest collection drive on the Internet. I don’t even remember my answer. Something I would regret.

Lunch time turned us to the table, black bean soup simmering, so we pushed boxes heavy laden with their live-saving resources into the garage. We broke away from the screens to eat together.

And that’s when my daughter pulled a folded bill from her pocket and laid it on the table.

I looked at her confused and she said, “I want to give this. I want to buy something needed for the maternity house. I can buy something with my money to help.” In an instant,  her questions made sense and I knew what this cost her. $10 dollars of her precious birthday money, counted and recounted, saving to furnish her doll house.

I started crying in my black bean soup.

My son, respect for his big sister in his eyes, “Mom, you know that $7 I have? I want to give it too. I want to help.”

Hot tears dripped.

The four year old taking in her siblings gifts and her Momma’s tears disappeared from the table

I blew my nose in my napkin. I marveled.

She returned and dumped her clenched fist of coins and lint in the center of the table.

“I want to help Mercy House too, Momma,” she said proudly.

My husband, holding back his own tears and laughter, said, “Thank you, honey. Where did you get that money?”

“From Momma’s purse.”

And we all laughed. Giggles and tears mixing.

I choked out “I love you” to the beautiful faces surrounding me. They get it. This isn’t my journey, it’s our journey. We are learning how to really give together.

It was a profound moment I will never forget it

I thought I knew something about giving. My kids know a lot more.

(And then they refused to try the black bean soup and had pb & j …. holy moment over, but sealed in my heart forever)

How to Really Give:

  • Don’t limit your giving or make it fit into your pre-conceived ideas  -give of yourself, your time, your money, your life. Give more than feels comfortable.
  • Involve your children-even let them lead you. There’s a reason God asks us to have child-like faith.
  • Trust God-giving is partner to trust. We often don’t give because we don’t trust. It’s hard to really give with open hands when we’ve clenched our fists over what we possess.
  • Don’t be surprised if you fall in love with giving! There’s something deeply spiritual and satisfying about letting it go and giving it away.

Opportunities to Give:

  • Today is the 3rd day of the month. For just $3, you can join more than a hundred others and give $3 on the third of every month to remember and pray for the 3 girls raped in Kenya every 45 minutes. Giving doesn’t always have to be big to make a difference. Would you consider joining the Power of 3?
  • February Collection Drive for Mercy House has begun!

And of course, there are countless other ways to give….sponsor a child through Compassion…giving locally to those in need. Look for opportunities and you will find them.

P.S. Tomorrow, I can’t wait to tell you about a family that has been instrumental in helping us with Mercy House. You may feel led to give to them. Can I encourage you to be open to God’s prodding? YOU will be blessed!

Kristen
If you have enjoyed or learned from this post, please share it:
  • email
  • Print
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Digg
  • StumbleUpon
  • del.icio.us
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Add to favorites
  • RSS

WFMW: Valentine’s Day Tip

I thought it would be fun to share some Valentine’s Day ideas (especially if you’ve run out of helpful tips). But I don’t have any. {Smile} My hubby and I usually just high five. Oh, I kid. We arm wrestle.

Seriously. I have NO idea what I’m doing this year. In the past, I’ve been a genius, making heart-shaped cookie cakes and last year I did matching My Husband/Wife Rocks t-shirts (win a set here). So, I’m just a hostess today, hoping to use one of your amazing ideas that’s cheap and easy. I’m not asking much, huh?

[P.S. Feel free to link up any useful tip-new or old- the themes are suggestions for those who need an idea starter.]

WFMW Guidelines and button

So, what works for you?



Kristen
If you have enjoyed or learned from this post, please share it:
  • email
  • Print
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Digg
  • StumbleUpon
  • del.icio.us
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Add to favorites
  • RSS